International Journal of Nanomedicine (Jul 2019)
Photothermal conversion hydrogel based mini-eye patch for relieving dry eye with long-term use of the light-emitting screen
Abstract
Yulian Pang,1,* Chaochao Wei,2,* Ruolei Li,3 Yue Wu,4 Wei Liu,2 Feifei Wang,1 Xu Zhang,1 Xiaolei Wang2,51Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Nanchang 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330088, People’s Republic of China; 3College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330088, People’s Republic of China; 4Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330088, People’s Republic of China; 5Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330088, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: The frequent usage of various lighting screens has made dry eye syndrome an increasingly serious phenomenon. To relieve this global problem, we have developed a photothermal conversion hydrogel based mini-eye patch.Methods: Gold nanoparticles (GNRs) were synthesized by a seed-mediated method, and then used as the inner cores to grow palladium (Pd) shell by PdCl42-reduction. Then, gelatin was added to prepare GNRs @ Pd hydrogel eye patch by genipin cross-linking. We implanted temperature sensitive ink (complex composed of amino resin and styrene maleic anhydride copolymer) in the eye patch, which could change color at different temperatures. Heating performance of the eye patch was accessed with an infrared temperature profile and the circulating temperature experiment. The safety assessment of the eye patch was conducted by H&E staining of the mouse’s eyelid skin and CCK-8 assay. A Keratograph 5M noninvasive ocular surface analyzer was used to assess the impact of eye patches on dry eyes.Results: It was found that GNRs @ Pd hydrogel eye patches could sense various visible light and responded by heating up spontaneously. Results from the CCK-8 assay and H&E staining showed that the eye patch has good safety performance. Measurements of the first noninvasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), the average NITBUT, the tear meniscus height (TMH), combined with red eye analysis, further demonstrated the patch’s eye-protective properties.Conclusion: After being pasted to the lacrimal gland, the hydrogel patch converted various light irradiations into heat and stimulated the lacrimal gland to produce more tears to relieve dry eye. The built-in temperature-sensitive ink can play an important role in warning people of their excessive eye usage. Because this recyclable strategy does not interfere with normal eye use, it is thus more environmentally friendly and convenient than ordinary infrared eyewear.Keywords: nanotechnology, palladium, gold, hydrogel
